Ashley could hear Spencer quietly sob on the other side of the phone.  “I…I can’t do this.  I don’t like this.  I am so unhappy,” began Spencer.  “You are the love of my life, but I want a person I can hold at night.   But most of all, I hate fighting with you.”

“What are you saying, Spence?” stammered Ashley.  “I know things have to change, but I want to be with you.  After this tour, I’ll stop. It’s just three more months.  After that, I’ll record and do shows in LA and maybe some in San Diego and San Francisco every now and then and for those you could come with me.  I don’t need go on tour across the country, let alone across the world – I don’t like touring at all.  I just want to be with you”

“When you finish your tour, call me.  Until then, Ash, I think it’s best we…” Spencer trailed off.  She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence. 

“We…what?  I can’t go another 3 months without talking to you.  You’re my best friend.  You mean the world to me.  I can’t imagine you not in my life.” Her face fell and she could feel the tears build in her eyes.

Spencer took a deep breath.  “I think its best we don’t talk until then.  When you get back to LA, we’ll, well, we’ll see what happens.”

“We can work this out, Spencer.  I love you and I always will.  No matter what you believe…”

5:34PM Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Kate wandered aimlessly between pieces of art. Every time she looked at a painting, she saw Spencer’s face.  Spencer’s eyes had hardened a few weeks ago and Kate desperately wanted to bring the sparkle back.  Instinctively, she reached up to brush a few stray strands of hair behind her right ear.  She didn’t know what was going on with her friend and every time Kate tried to get Spencer to open up to her, Spencer retreated more and more behind those unyielding eyes.        

6:07PM Wednesday, September 11, 2013

“Spence?  Hey, Spence.  Wake up, sweetie.”  Kate leaned down and put her hand on Spencer’s shoulder. 

Spencer, shocked, shot out her hand to rest on top of Kate’s.  Opening her eyes, Spencer quickly brought her other hand up to shield the sunlight.  Seeing Kate stand next to her, she slowly took her hand off of Kate’s and clasped her hands in her lap.  Spencer stared down into her lap.  

“Hey.  You don’t look so go.  You ready to go home?”

She looked up at Kate.  “Yeah,” Spencer sighed as she slowly got to her feet.